Chocoholics urged to raise money for charity

Debbie Clarke

Chocoholics across Scotland are being urged to give up their favourite sweet treats next month to raise money for life saving research.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland says it is time for a DECHOX and is challenging people to get sponsored to give up chocolate in March and give the money to the charity.

Last year, more than 19,000 people across the UK took part in DECHOX, raising almost £800,000 in the fight against heart disease. BHF Scotland is calling on even more people to sign up this year.

The move comes as a poll from the BHF reveals just how obsessed people are with chocolate ahead of its DECHOX fundraising campaign.

The BHF Scotland poll revealed that nearly half those who responded held their hands up to being a chocoholic (47 per cent) with even more admitting to having scoffed a share bag or large chocolate bar alone, in one sitting (54 per cent).

When the cravings hit, it seems nothing can stand in their way, with over a third of people eating chocolate past its sell by date (36 per cent) and a quarter admitting to eating chocolate off the floor (25 per cent).

However, these chocolate habits are far from guilt-free with Scots going to great lengths to treat themselves. Over a quarter said they exercised in order to have a naughty nibble (26 per cent), or said they are good all week, so they can justify a weekend splurge (18 per cent).

In fact, only six per cent of people in Scotland have ever been able to give up chocolate for a month with some quitters not even lasting a day (four per cent).

Tracy Parker, BHF heart health dietician, said: “It’s no secret that we’re a nation of chocolate-lovers and it’s extraordinary how far people are willing to go for a sweet treat.

“By joining thousands of people and signing up to DECHOX you’ll have a great support network around you to kick that chocolate habit. Whilst it’s only a bit of fun to challenge yourself to dump the chunk for one month, it could be a great way to get into better eating habits and the money raised through sponsorship will help fund vital research to help the 710,000 people living with heart and circulatory disease in Scotland.”